Whole of Syria - Voices from the Field: Food safety is everyone’s responsibility at home, but what if you lost your home?

“When we left our home, I was really worried about Mera. As she is one year old, I try my best to give her the food she needs to grow and be healthy, it’s such a sensitive age. Under these hard circumstances, I had so many things on my mind, and to take care of... I am my daughter’s main caregiver, but I am unable to work, my resources are limited, I rely mainly on UNRWA’s financial support, and any food provided by humanitarian organizations. The moment I reached Refaat Daho shelter, I was relieved to know that our food needs would be well taken care of. This was one thing to scratch off of my list of worries.” 

Thousands of people lost their home during the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria in February. Mira’s mom is one of them. She took refuge in the “Refaat Daho” school, which was turned into a shelter for families from from Al Raml Al Janoubi area in Lattakia. She goes on and shares her struggle. Her husband passed a year ago. She now is on her own, with two young children aged 1 and 10 years old. They barely made it out of her home and to the shelter.

Syria has been ravaged by crises over the past 12 years. Conflict, climate emergencies among other factors pushed food insecurity and safety issues to severe levels. Meanwhile, food safety has also become a major concern for Syrian families.

Access to fresh food, clean cooking environment, water and hygiene – all is compromised. How can you maintain proper food safety standards for your family and yourself, when you actually have no home?

Thanks to guidance and effective coordination, the FSS ensures all partners adhere to food safety standards as they distribute food assistance. This is an essential step to fight hunger and achieve food security.